Industrial Automation Magazine India

Mobile and service robots with intelligent software enable complex workflows

Published on : Tuesday 02-04-2024

Sunil Raibagi, Managing Director – Asia & VP – Strategy and Business Development, Zimmer GmbH.

What are the current global trends in the use of robots and cobots in manufacturing industries?

Robots and cobots are used in most of the industries. They do good repetitive jobs without interruption with intelligent machines and automation systems. Robots have become commodities and together with special end-effectors they do all special jobs. If they are mounted on AMR they can also go to places and do tasks. In warehouse automation this is very useful. Various function packages have been developed for specific applications like measuring, bin picking, palletizing, machine loading, etc. With good softwares and AI, they are becoming better at doing jobs.

 

In what ways do robots and cobots contribute to increased efficiency and productivity in manufacturing?

Robots can do what humans can or cannot do, faster; repetitive, heavy handling; working in hazardous environments and without break. By understanding required processes well and adapting required technology one can build cells that can work continuously. Even without lights.

With cobots even humans can work together with them and this is improving a lot. Several safety measures have been incorporated; the new sensor development gives very reliable functions according to safety requirements.

 

How can manufacturers effectively integrate robots and cobots into existing workflows? Do these replace human labour or create additional opportunities?

If a robotic cell is built with required functionality it will do its job continuously. Today most of the industrial robots are doing this and in a caged/safety zone environment. We have several cobots working in low payload jobs together with humans around. This is getting adapted and there are many use cases. With mobile and service robots together with intelligent softwares complex workflows are possible. This we see in warehouse automation, car manufacturing lines or assembly lines.

Of course they are replacing human workers but also creating a lot of other jobs for programming, AI, maintenance and special development areas. This is creating never ending opportunities. So I say robots are getting jobs where human life is getting better and humans are getting creative jobs.

 

What skills are required for workers to effectively operate and collaborate with robots or cobots?

This is a big subject, but I will say the operator friendly and supportive software is helping to de-skill this. Like everyone operating gadgets remotely now, everyone can learn operating robots by a little bit of training. There are many functionalities getting built and becoming easier.

 

How are manufacturers addressing the need for training and upskilling their workforce in the era of robotic automation?

There are several courses and simpler AI driven instruction sets make it easier. Teach in and play back is common. Schools are teaching basics and students use robots in college workshops to give them necessary exposure and familiarity. In fact, every robot manufacturer is working in the education sector to support this movement.

 

How well do robots and cobots contribute to the flexibility and adaptability of manufacturing processes?

This is a big subject to discuss. Mostly due to cameras, sensory devices and softwares we can handle it better than yesterday. Everyday there are many developments to make this job easier. Every manufacturing industry knows their processes well. This is then translated to requirements and adapted for robotic automation. You will find industry specific integrators focusing on this work on required functionality building. Continuous development has brought flexibility and adaptability for building required flexibility for industry-specific functions.

 

(The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented.)

 

Sunil Raibagi is a strategic leader with over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and automation industry. He has built various brands and established distribution alliances in the Indian market for European and Japanese companies, with proven excellence in elevating business development activities for CNC controls and Automation & Robotics in multifarious customer segments in public as well as private sector.

Sunil is skilled in maintaining cordial relations with customers from bottom to top level and ensuring quality and service norms for attaining customer satisfaction & business retention. He has travelled all over the world extensively and has great connections with the players in the industry on executive levels.

Sunil is a graduate engineer and was CEO of Inteltek Automaton, which is still a leading brand in automation systems. Later he started a joint venture with Gudel which is a well known brand for gantry automation. Today Sunil is heading the business at Zimmer-Group as Managing Director of Asia & Vice President, Strategy and Business Development.